SAO PAULO (AP) — Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel proved decisive once again in a penalty shootout on Wednesday, helping Palmeiras secure its place in the Copa Libertadores final despite a 1-0 loss to Fluminense.
Hercules scored in the 82nd minute for Fluminense to level the aggregate score in the semifinal series at 2-2, forcing the penalty shootout to determine which team advanced. There, Miguel saved the fourth attempt — taken by Nonato — and helped Palmeiras clinch the shootout 5-3.
Miguel also played a key role in the quarterfinals, saving two penalties against Liga de Quito.
Palmeiras, which a 2-1 away victory in the first leg of the semifinals last week, will face either defending champion Flamengo or Estudiantes de La Plata for the title. Those teams had a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the semifinals.
This marks the second consecutive year that Palmeiras has reached the final of South America’s most prestigious club tournament.
Fluminense, meanwhile, fell just short of returning to the final for the first time winning the title in 2023.
The result further underscores the dominance of Brazilian clubs, which have won the Copa Libertadores title in each of the last seven years.
The final will take place Nov. 28 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Ramon Sosa of Brazil's Palmeiras reacts during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match against Brazil's Fluminense in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Nonato of Brazil's Fluminense, right, grabs the shorts of Agustin Giay of Brazil's Palmeiras during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Andreas Pereira of Brazil's Palmeiras, left, is challenged by Hulk of Brazil's Fluminense during a Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg soccer match in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard is back, in more ways than one.
The star guard played his first regular-season game with the Trail Blazers since returning to Portland in the summer of 2025, scoring 25 points with six 3-pointers in a 124-83 rout of the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
Lillard spent some 16 months rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon he sustained with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I did feel good, but you know I've felt good for months now, and I've been saying that. But I think there's probably some people that might have been skeptical because they hadn't seen me. I hadn't been out on the floor and been in front of people," Lillard said.
The nine-time All-Star was greeted with an extended standing ovation at Moda Center when he welcomed the crowd in a pregame address. A beloved figure in Portland, he clearly was missed.
“It was a lot of love. The fans showed a lot of love,” Lillard said. “I think it's no secret the relationship between myself and our fans and the city of Portland.”
New addition Ja Morant, who finished with 14 points in his Trail Blazers debut, was impressed.
“You know, for me today it was, the guy hasn't played in 18 months, and he comes out and delivered the way he did for us," Morant said. "Special, man.”
Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal to rejoin the Blazers in July 2025 after spending two seasons with the Bucks. He had spent the first 11 seasons of his career with Portland.
Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in his final season with the Bucks, but he played only 58 games because of deep vein thrombosis. For his career, Lillard has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists.
“Coming back off of a major injury, getting back healthy, and making it to this day, being a part of a really good team — at a different time for the Trail Blazers than my last stint with the team — it just felt great to be embraced and welcomed,” Lillard said.
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reaches for a loose ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard looks up at the clock against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
